Will India embrace Rahul Gandhi?

Under pressure over corruption scandals and a slowing economy, many in India's Congress party are looking to Rahul Gandhi, fourth generation scion of the famous Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder joined him as he campaigned in Uttar Pradesh, which faces crucial polls early next year.

In a large public ground near the city of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh state, thousands of people wait in anticipation.

The largely rural gathering has spent several hours braving the chilly winter temperature for a glimpse of the heir to one of the world's most powerful political dynasties.

Even as a local politician tries to keep them engaged, a cheer runs through the crowd as a white SUV makes its way into the ground, its wheels churning up dust.

Rahul Gandhi, the man they've all come to see, steps out surrounded almost instantly by bodyguards in black suits and dark glasses.
'Give us a chance'

The crowd breaks out into an applause as he steps up to address them from a stage a fair distance from them.

"The Congress government has always worked for your interests," he says.

"Farmers, workers, the dispossessed, the poorest of the poor. Give us a chance and you'll see the results."

Uttar Pradesh is India's most politically influential state, which sends the most members to parliament.
Once a Congress stronghold, the party has lost ground to regional, socialist parties which are seen as more representative of lower castes, minorities and other disadvantaged groups who have been left out of India's economic progress.

This is one of several rallies that the young Gandhi is addressing as part of his campaign for vital local elections due next year as he tries to rebuild his party's base.

Many are willing to give him a chance.

"The Gandhi family has always been inclusive, appealing to all groups rather than any one," says one old man.

"We are tired of the current crop of leaders. We think he can help improve things for us."

As he heads off to his next stop, we join his convoy as it speeds through the dusty lanes of Uttar Pradesh.

Along the way, hundreds of people gather to wave and catch a glimpse. The Gandhis are political royalty in India and the urge to get up close is irresistible.

And he obliges, leaning out of his car to shake hands or even get out at impromptu pit stops.

It's this iconic status that has always delivered and that his party is now banking on.

"There is a certain association that the country has with this family," says Neerja Chowdhury, a political commentator.

Three generations of the family have governed India, from the first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to his daughter Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv.

So for many, it's natural to assume that Rahul will also follow in their footsteps.

"They're a pan-Indian recognised family. Very few political families today are in this position. They are committed to secular values and remember, this is still a very feudal country," says Ms Chowdhury.

It's not going to be that easy though for Rahul Gandhi. Unlike the last time when a Gandhi was at the helm, India has changed politically and economically.

Makur is just one of many villages in his campaign belt but typical of the area.

In the early morning winter mist, children play in the dirt as the villagers tend to their cattle - older members huddle around a fire trying to stay warm.

Even as India has progressed, social and economic disparities have widened - it is something he has to address if he is to win them over.

"We have so many problems," says Ram Gopal, a rice farmer in his fifties, who attended his latest rally.

"Everything costs so much more, we lack water, our villagers are in a terrible shape. Maybe he can change all that.

"If not, we'll simply vote for someone else," he adds.

Back on the campaign trail, Rahul Gandhi is still drawing the crowds.

Even though his sights are set on these local elections, many in his party and elsewhere want him to now take on a larger, national role - perhaps even the job of leading the world's largest democracy.

The question is whether he is ready for it, and whether India in turn is ready to embrace him.

The question is does India want another Ghandi - and what will he bring to the table of democracy?

My sentiments are the same. He cannot live off the name and get on the bandwagon like the bhutto tradition in Pakistan. Earn and gain respect - you cant be born with it because of the name of your father!

My sentiments are the same. He cannot live off the name and get on the bandwagon like the bhutto tradition in Pakistan. Earn and gain respect - you cant be born with it because of the name of your father!

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So true , India is not his "BBAP KI JAGEER" that he can just rule it , just look at this clown & his stand on different issues specially anty corruption , this so called english media(sold out ,corrupt ) Thinks that we indians can be fooled by them .

So true , India is not his "BBAP KI JAGEER" that he can just rule it , just look at this clown & his stand on different issues specially anty corruption , this so called english media(sold out ,corrupt ) Thinks that we indians can be fooled by them .

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I think India is a far too big a democracy to have the wool pulled over their eyes. The problem i believe is most people dont see him walk through the door - they see his name and due to the history attached to it - his party may take advantage of this to win the support of the masses.

My sentiments are the same. He cannot live off the name and get on the bandwagon like the bhutto tradition in Pakistan. Earn and gain respect - you cant be born with it because of the name of your father!

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Main problem with R G is he`s too much hyped by congress party & not worth to anything but a simple worker of party...

India`s expectations are too high for any next leader for country & he`s just showing his sympathy to rural areas, that also looking fake..
He is not worth to become a fourth class employee of any huge organization & they want to make him MD of the company...
this is the biggest problem..
Running in the shade of forefathers are not good if you don`t have any quality to propel the wagon...

He didn`t show a single hint that he have any knowledge in representing India to world...

I think India is a far too big a democracy to have the wool pulled over their eyes. The problem i believe is most people dont see him walk through the door - they see his name and due to the history attached to it - his party may take advantage of this to win the support of the masses.

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no bro India for the last 10-15 years are maturing quite well as a democracy just see what has happened to CPI()WB ,Mulayam Singh Yadav(up)Laloo Yadav(Bihar) ,Ram vilas Paswan(Bihar) , H D Kumaraswami(Karnataka) &Digvijay Singh(mp) to name a few & in contrast look how Narayan Modi(gujrat) & Nitish Kumar (Bihar) are rewarded again by voters for there work , Thanks

enof is enof , the so called educated citizen's of delhi voted congress again for the third time & now crying blood thru there eyes , but congress thinks it will again repeat in delhi well its also owr own fault